Darren O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Darren O'Brien is a former Australian rules football
er who played for Melbourne Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL) and for West Perth Football Club
in the West Australian Football League
(WAFL).
, O'Brien began his playing career with West Perth in the WAFL. He played 44 senior WAFL games from 1994 to 1995 for a return of 27 goals and, after winning a WAFL Grand Final with West Perth in 1995, he became the subject of interest from AFL clubs, despite being 26 years old. Known as centreman with a penetrating left foot kick, O'Brien was drafted by Melbourne with the 60th selection in the 1995 National Draft
, in what was described as the "surprise of the draft because of his age" by The Age
. The Demons' football manager, Richard Griffiths, said the club was "very pleased with ... the experience of O'Brien" and Rohan Connolly
wrote that he was "rated highly by good judges" and "possibly ready-made [for AFL]". After being selected, O'Brien agreed to move to Melbourne from his native Perth.
, leaving the club during the 1996 pre-season, O'Brien, due to his experience, was expected to help fill the void left by Viney in the Demons' midfield. O'Brien played his first game for the Demons in Melbourne's first match of the season, a pre-season game against Adelaide. His second match for Melbourne, also a pre-season game, was impressive, kicking three goals in a 14-point victory. At the beginning of the home and away season, O'Brien was named in Melbourne's best 21 players and described as their "rookie to watch" by Ashley Browne in The Age. O'Brien was named in squad to play Collingwood
in round 2, but the coaching staff were "reluctant because of his lack of pace" and decided not to play him. Instead, O'Brien played in the reserves and he was reported. His hearing at the AFL tribunal was the first heard to be heard by a female member; he was not suspended. O'Brien made his AFL debut in round 4 against Carlton
. He had a mediocre performance, gathering five possessions and laying five tackles. O'Brien remained in the side for the next three matches, all of which Melbourne lost, and he was dropped back to the reserves after a 10 disposal game against Sydney
. He was recalled to the seniors for round 13 where he recorded his first win at AFL level, despite a poor performance personally. O'Brien subsequently established himself as a regular in the side, missing only one game for the rest of the season, round 20, due to a hamstring injury. Often used in a tagging role, such as against Brownlow Medal
winner, Paul Couch
, O'Brien was also attacking offensively, kicking seven goals in a six week period, amassing 27 possessions in a round 18 match against Sydney and being named in Melbourne's best players in their round 19 clash with Carlton.
After playing in Melbourne's first pre-season match of 1997, O'Brien was unable to hold his place in the senior side and was dropped back to the reserves. Playing in the reserves, O'Brien injured his knee and missed a month of football as a result. Despite winning Melbourne's 'Best First Year Player' awarda 1996, O'Brien did not play a senior match in 1997 until round 8 against Geelong
. He remained in the team until being omitted for round 15, but was back in the side the very next week. Dropped again for round 17, O'Brien made his way back into the seniors for round 20, finishing off the season with three consecutive games. Despite playing 24 of a possible 44 matches for Melbourne in his two years at the club, the 28-year-old O'Brien was delisted by the Demons at the conclusion of the 1997 season.
, but was not selected by any of the clubs, thereby ending his AFL career. O'Brien then signed with his old side, West Perth, and played with the Falcons for the 1998 WAFL season. He played 19 games for a return of 14 goals in what was his last season in the WAFL.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played for Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL) and for West Perth Football Club
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL).
Early career
Originally from CollieCollie, Western Australia
-External links:*...
, O'Brien began his playing career with West Perth in the WAFL. He played 44 senior WAFL games from 1994 to 1995 for a return of 27 goals and, after winning a WAFL Grand Final with West Perth in 1995, he became the subject of interest from AFL clubs, despite being 26 years old. Known as centreman with a penetrating left foot kick, O'Brien was drafted by Melbourne with the 60th selection in the 1995 National Draft
1995 AFL Draft
The 1995 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1995 Australian Football League season.The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football clubs that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.Clubs receive picks based...
, in what was described as the "surprise of the draft because of his age" by The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
. The Demons' football manager, Richard Griffiths, said the club was "very pleased with ... the experience of O'Brien" and Rohan Connolly
Rohan Connolly
Rohan Connolly is an Australian journalist specialising in Australian rules football writing for The Age newspaper in Melbourne. Connolly began his media career writing for The Sun News-Pictorial in 1983 before moving to The Age in 1987, where he has been ever since...
wrote that he was "rated highly by good judges" and "possibly ready-made [for AFL]". After being selected, O'Brien agreed to move to Melbourne from his native Perth.
AFL career
With Melbourne's best midfielder, Todd VineyTodd Viney
Todd Viney is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the VFL/AFL. After the sacking of Dean Bailey due to their embarrassing 186-point loss to , it was announced that Viney would be Melbourne's caretaker coach for the remainder of 2011.-Football career:As a youngster,...
, leaving the club during the 1996 pre-season, O'Brien, due to his experience, was expected to help fill the void left by Viney in the Demons' midfield. O'Brien played his first game for the Demons in Melbourne's first match of the season, a pre-season game against Adelaide. His second match for Melbourne, also a pre-season game, was impressive, kicking three goals in a 14-point victory. At the beginning of the home and away season, O'Brien was named in Melbourne's best 21 players and described as their "rookie to watch" by Ashley Browne in The Age. O'Brien was named in squad to play Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in round 2, but the coaching staff were "reluctant because of his lack of pace" and decided not to play him. Instead, O'Brien played in the reserves and he was reported. His hearing at the AFL tribunal was the first heard to be heard by a female member; he was not suspended. O'Brien made his AFL debut in round 4 against Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. He had a mediocre performance, gathering five possessions and laying five tackles. O'Brien remained in the side for the next three matches, all of which Melbourne lost, and he was dropped back to the reserves after a 10 disposal game against Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
. He was recalled to the seniors for round 13 where he recorded his first win at AFL level, despite a poor performance personally. O'Brien subsequently established himself as a regular in the side, missing only one game for the rest of the season, round 20, due to a hamstring injury. Often used in a tagging role, such as against Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
winner, Paul Couch
Paul Couch
Paul Couch is a retired Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong in the Australian Football League.Prior to playing with Geelong, Couch initially tried out with Fitzroy, but was rejected for being too slow....
, O'Brien was also attacking offensively, kicking seven goals in a six week period, amassing 27 possessions in a round 18 match against Sydney and being named in Melbourne's best players in their round 19 clash with Carlton.
After playing in Melbourne's first pre-season match of 1997, O'Brien was unable to hold his place in the senior side and was dropped back to the reserves. Playing in the reserves, O'Brien injured his knee and missed a month of football as a result. Despite winning Melbourne's 'Best First Year Player' awarda 1996, O'Brien did not play a senior match in 1997 until round 8 against Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
. He remained in the team until being omitted for round 15, but was back in the side the very next week. Dropped again for round 17, O'Brien made his way back into the seniors for round 20, finishing off the season with three consecutive games. Despite playing 24 of a possible 44 matches for Melbourne in his two years at the club, the 28-year-old O'Brien was delisted by the Demons at the conclusion of the 1997 season.
Back to the WAFL
After being delisted, O'Brien nominated for the 1997 National Draft1997 AFL Draft
The 1997 AFL Draft was held at the conclusion of the 1997 Australian Football League season. A pre-season draft was also held prior to the 1998 season....
, but was not selected by any of the clubs, thereby ending his AFL career. O'Brien then signed with his old side, West Perth, and played with the Falcons for the 1998 WAFL season. He played 19 games for a return of 14 goals in what was his last season in the WAFL.
External links
- Darren O'Brien's profile at the Official AFL Website of the Melbourne Football Club
- Darren O'Brien's profile at WAFL Online